China has been pressured by many nations to lessen and regulate its pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. This request has become especially strong with China holding the 2008 Olympics; many nations are concerned that the high level pollutants in the air will be bad for the athletes. Thus, these nations have pushed China to improve its air quality. China has recently addressed this issue, by informing other nations that though it strongly wants to face this issue head-on, it needs other developed nations to participate in this situation. The President of China, has asked other nations to “step up efforts” on reducing emissions and giving financial and technical support in China’s struggle.

Next month China will take part in the Group of Eight meeting that is to take place in Japan. This meeting will address climate change issues, and is supposed to set new goals for reducing emissions meant to take place after the expiration of the Kyoto Protocol in 2012.

China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, though on an individual level, Chinese emit less than most other developed nations. Many Chinese have grown frustrated with the West’s response to this dilemma, saying that their country began to industrialize two centuries after the West and therefore should be able to continue to industrialize, in spite of environmental concerns.

China’s President has pushed its organizations and companies to find more efficient and clean sources of energy, in addition he has pushed for stronger efforts in recycling and the exploration of other energy sources.

This issue is clearly important and certainly relevant, but it is also evident that China cannot be expected to solve all of its environmental issues in the short period of time before the 2008 Olympics. Also, global assistance would greatly help China in this major endeavor. There are steps that every nation should take to help solve the issue of climate change, these responsibilities should not be merely expected from China. By reducing energy consumption and by finding cleaner more efficient sources of energy, we can greatly help lessen rising temperatures. Join with Starry Night Lights and choose to buy energy efficient products and save our environment.